CHOCO-VANILLA MARBLE CAKE AND DISCRIMINATION

 

CHOCO-VANILLA MARBLE CAKE AND DISCRIMINATION

 

 

 

One can appreciate the beauty of the day only after a long dark night and can only appreciate the peace and calm that night has to offer, after a long day of clatter and din. Such is the joy of the opposites, that one is incomplete without the other.

While baking a chocolate-vanilla marble cake recently, I was struck with marvel when I saw the outcome. It wasn’t the most beautiful of bakes but there was something about it that left me awestruck, and that was, the beauty of the contrast! Both these cakes individually are delectable and delightful in their own way but when the flavours of both are infused together, it takes it to a different level altogether. The amalgamation of the light coloured vanilla with the dark coloured chocolate is simply beautiful.

Pondering over the cake and its colours, I was transported to a different world and embarked on a completely disconnected train of thoughts. They say, human mind is extremely complex, as it has the capability to be physically present somewhere and mentally absent from there at the same time, so were my thoughts.

I started wondering about racial discrimination present all over the world. Every ethnicity looks down upon the colour which is a shade darker than theirs. One might grumble and complain about being victimized in the name of colour and race, but they will be guilty of doing the same if they are with people who are a tad shade darker than their own.

How easily we generalize fair and good-looking people, as well-cultured and label the dark, seemingly ugly (in general opinion) as animals! If a crime is committed and people from two races are present, the crowd will instantly crucify the one from the darker race. This is the bitter truth.

We consider fair to be lovely and dark to be ghastly but, is it actually the truth? I believe, both are ravishing in their own way. Look at a mixed group of babies from every race of the world. Will you be able to take your eyes off any of those gorgeous smiles? I bet you’ll be captivated by the charm of every baby in that group.

In fact, what about the world! In India itself we discriminate among girls of various complexions, people from different states and I’m not even getting into the caste angle……

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all would live happy lives and not bother others because they don’t look like us? Each person on this earth is beautiful in her/his own sense. We cannot certify one to be beautiful because of one’s complexion. A fair heart belonging to a person of any colour will eventually reign supreme and overshadow all others, no matter which race one belongs to.

So why discriminate?

 

 

 

‘Aspirants’ Dreams uninhibited! – A classic must-watch web series

 

‘Aspirants’ Dreams uninhibited! – A classic must-watch web series

 

 

Browsing through OTT channels, I was wondering what to watch when I came across ‘Aspirants’ on TVF. Being an ardent fan of their previous shows, without a second thought, I decided to go ahead with this one too. What followed, was a roller coaster ride of emotions and believe me, every minute of the show was worth the time spent!

The first episode starts with the life of three IAS Aspirants from various walks of life. All three have a different approach but are united by their common love for cracking the most coveted civil services exam. It progresses with moments of friendship, love, truth, realization, defeat, passion, determination, conviction, and achievement, all playing an active role in the lives of these three men.

The episodes move back and forth covering a time span of six years, ie: life of the three main characters at present and their life at Rajinder Nagar (Delhi) six years ago. The director has skillfully navigated between these two periods and the transitioning happens with ease.

Rajinder Nagar, with its mushrooming institutes is the Mecca for civil services aspirants. From the modest chaiwaala to the golgappa eating girl, everyone is an expert at providing inputs related to the preparation of the exam. The landlords renting their cramped rooms to these aspirants have their own analysis of the students. The library, the tea stall, the sutta break boys, everything in this place reeks of the pressures of this exam. The essence of this place has been rightly captured and the entire ambience has been excellently replicated in the show.

The three men, SK, Guri and Abhilash, each have their own quirks but have stood together from college days and are referred to as the ‘tripod’. The three belong to different backgrounds yet this never affects their friendship. SK is the most adjusting one coming from an extremely modest background, Guri is the bindass one, owing to his business background but the most gullible and bundle of nerves is Abhilash, who freaks out at every given opportunity. What transpires during their time at Rajinder Nagar, the people who come and go from their lives, the relationships, struggles and tense moments, everything points towards a well-researched work done by the makers of the show.

Speaking with some people who have spent time in Rajinder Nagar and experienced this phase, only reinforced my belief that this show resonates with everyone who has lived that life.

Through its limited episodes, the journey of these three men has been beautifully traced and the myriad emotions that the characters display, is bound to captivate everyone. You must watch it for its rich content, realistic settings, rustic characterization, and gripping story. Whether the aspirants make it or not, whether their friendship is able to stand the test of time, whether they are happy or have regrets, you will certainly have to watch the show to know it all.

It is a must watch heartwarming web-series, not only for youngsters but also for people of all ages because all of us have experienced these emotions at some point of time or the other. So go ahead and watch it tonight if you haven’t already yet!

The show has had 105 MILLION VIEWS in just one month and has garnered more than 225000 votes on IMDB and also has 2.5 billion impressions organically!!! These numbers have been the BIGGEST EVER FOR A SERIES IN INDIA OR A FILM. 

The link of the first episode has been shared below for your ease. Binge watch and you'll know what I meant! 

https://youtu.be/0Kl1ucZuSZ8

Am I the only daughter in the world who doesn’t love her mother?

 

Am I the only daughter in the world who doesn’t love her mother? 

 

 

No really! I actually started questioning my love for my mom after browsing through all social media posts on Mother’s Day. Is it an anomaly that I didn’t take to posting a long appreciative post for her when the entire screen was spilling with photos of everyone’s mothers? Honestly, I started feeling a little weird and self-conscious about the fact that though I’m a woman of so many words, yet I did not pen even a single word on the grand occasion, or say- festival of ‘Mother’s Day!’

I’m telling you; these ‘special days’ are somehow pernicious. Even though you have no less emotions for your loved ones, yet the marketing world derides you with pompous display of gifts, holidays etc. and one is left reeling under the shock of being left out!

Anyways, I am not the one to succumb to this charade wherein these special days have been doled out to benefit the marketing world. While I am not against people expressing their love for their mommies on Mother’s Day, I also believe that parents are so special that one can never limit to thanking them to one single day.

It is piquant to see how people who do not call their mothers for several days and mistreat them on the few occasions they meet, go on hollering about their love for those same mothers on social media platforms. It certainly makes me gag!

I reiterate, that I cannot undermine the emotions of all those who do celebrate this day with great gusto but for those who do not, just remember you are a no lesser child to your mother. She will love you even if you do not make any florid confessions of love in words. Nevertheless, your actions must always tell her that she means the world to you.

Blessed are those who have parents in their lives. Value them, treasure them, talk to them and listen to them. Do not limit it to just one day. It is the insalubrious attempt of marketing which fills children with compunction if they do not wish ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to their mothers. Love is meant to be celebrated each day. Mothers must be made to feel special each day. A simple ‘I love you Maa’ and a light peck on the cheek everyday can-do wonders. Believe me!